Digital violence is real, and it affects thousands of women and girls across the UK every year. It can happen through phones, social media, email, messaging apps or any online space where abuse is used to scare, control, shame or silence someone.
At The Maya Centre, we see the impact of this every day. Consistently, 85% of the women who access our services report experiencing one or more forms of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and digital violence is becoming more common.
If you’re reading this because something similar has happened to you, please know this: you are not alone, and what you are experiencing is not your fault.
There are laws in the UK that protect you, and support is available.
This blog explains your rights in a clear, accessible way, so you can understand the protections that exist and where to get help.
What Is Digital Violence?
Digital violence (sometimes called online abuse or tech abuse) is any behaviour carried out through technology that harms, threatens or controls you. This can include:
- Harassing or threatening messages
- Online stalking or monitoring
- Tracking your movements without consent
- Sharing or threatening to share intimate images
- Impersonating you online
- Taking over your accounts or passwords
- Posting abusive or harmful content
Digital violence often happens alongside emotional harm, coercive control or domestic abuse.
Your Rights Under UK Law
The UK has several laws that protect women and girls from digital abuse. Below are some of the key protections.
1. Online Harassment and Stalking
It is illegal for anyone to repeatedly contact, follow, monitor or threaten you including online.
The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 makes it a criminal offence to pursue behaviour that causes fear, distress or harm. This covers:
- Repeated sending of unwanted messages
- Monitoring your social media
- Posting about you
- “Cyberstalking” or tracking you digitally
Learn more:
CPS: https://www.cps.gov.uk/crime-info/stalking-and-harassment
2. Controlling or Coercive Behaviour
If the abuse is coming from a partner, ex-partner or family member, it may be classed as coercive control, which is a criminal offence under the Serious Crime Act 2015.
This includes:
- Checking your messages or accounts without permission
- Using technology to track you
- Repeated, controlling or threatening digital messages
- Limiting your online access
Learn more:
Rights of Women – Coercive Control: https://rightsofwomen.org.uk
3. Intimate Image Abuse (Including Threats)
It is against the law for someone to share or threaten to share intimate images or videos of you without consent.
This includes:
- Sharing private sexual photos or videos
- Threatening to post them
- Creating sexual deepfakes
These protections come from:
- Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015
- Domestic Abuse Act 2021
- Online Safety Act 2023 (new expanded offences)
Learn more:
Rights of Women – Intimate Image Abuse: https://rightsofwomen.org.uk
Refuge Tech Safety: https://refugetechsafety.org
4. Malicious or Threatening Messages
It is illegal to send messages that are threatening, intentionally harmful or grossly offensive.
This is covered by:
- Malicious Communications Act 1988
- Online Safety Act 2023 (updated communication offences)
You have the right to report any messages that make you feel scared, unsafe or distressed.
5. Your Rights on Social Media Platforms
The Online Safety Act 2023 puts legal responsibilities on social media companies to:
- Remove illegal content quickly
- Improve safety for women and girls
- Provide easy reporting systems
- Reduce the risk of online harm
Ofcom now expects online platforms to take online abuse against women seriously and act faster to remove harmful content.
Learn more:
Ofcom – A Safer Life Online for Women and Girls: https://www.ofcom.org.uk
Where to Get Specialist Support
You can also access free information and guidance from the following organisations:
Women’s Aid: Information and support on domestic abuse and tech abuse. https://www.womensaid.org.uk
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 24/7 support for anyone experiencing abuse. Phone 0808 2000 247. Run by Refuge.
The Maya Centre Is Here for You
At The Maya Centre, we offer free, confidential and women-only mental health support for women who have experienced violence, including digital violence, coercive control, harassment, stalking or intimate image abuse.
We provide:
- 1-to-1 counselling
- Therapeutic groups and psychoeducation workshops
- A safe, trauma-informed space
- Support in multiple languages and cultural backgrounds
If online abuse has affected your wellbeing, we are here to help you feel safer, supported and heard.
To access support: You can make a referral or email admin@mayacentre.org.uk.
References
- Protection from Harassment Act 1997
- Serious Crime Act 2015 – Controlling or Coercive Behaviour
- Domestic Abuse Act 2021
- Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 – Intimate Image Abuse
- Online Safety Act 2023
- Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) – Harassment and Online Abuse
- Rights of Women – Online Abuse and Intimate Image Abuse
- Refuge – Tech Abuse Safety Resources
- Women’s Aid – Technology and Domestic Abuse Guidance